Mary Ann McMorrow, First Female Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice, Has Died

By Chuck Sudo in News on Feb 25, 2013 4:40PM

Mary Ann McMorrow, who became the first woman to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court and later the first female to serve as its Chief Justice, passed away Sunday at the age of 83.

McMorrow was a trailblazer, even if she downplayed her accomplishments. She was also the only woman in her graduating class at Loyola University Law School in 1953—where she was also class president—and later became the first woman to try felony cases as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney. She was elected to the Cook County Circuit Court in 1976, joined the Illinois Appellate Court in 1985 and was later named the first woman to lead its executive committee. She was appointed to the state Supreme Court in 1992 and, when she was named Chief Justice in 2002, said, “You will notice after I take off my robe that I am the only one of the 114 chief justices who preceded me that wears a skirt.”

State Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, a former Chief Justice herself, said “Not only was she my personal mentor and dearest friend, but she also was a mentor and friend to many in her lifetime — and especially women in the law.” Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride said in a statement:

“Being the first woman on the court and to serve as chief justice, she was an inspiration to all women in the law in Illinois. But through her courage, perseverance, wisdom and character, she was a role model for all lawyers, regardless of gender.”